Ajax man among nine charged with bank robberies

Police car

DURHAM -- An Ajax man is among nine suspects -- including a 14-year-old boy -- charged with robbing five banks during a three-week span this summer.

A crew committed a string of take-over style robberies at banks in Toronto and Markham between July 22 and Aug. 13, Toronto police said. Armed bandits jumped counters to confront employees and used physical force and threats during the heists, police said.

Members of the gang switched up roles as robbers, lookouts and getaway drivers, police said.

Among the nine arrested are four Toronto teens aged 14, 16 and 17, while a warrant has been issued for the arrest of a 17-year-old Mississauga male, police said. Their identities are protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.